49ers Game review

David White

Published
4:00 am PDT, Monday, September 27, 2010

Offense

The offensive line couldn't run-block or pass-protect. Running back Frank Gore couldn't break a tackle. Tight end Vernon Davis couldn't get open. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree couldn't get involved. Quarterback Alex Smith couldn't throw on target. The offense couldn't crack the red zone until the most meaningless final drive in the history of football. But, hey, other than that ...

Defense

The 49ers are supposed to own one of the best defenses against the run and in the red zone. Not Sunday, folks. They were screen-passed to death with playmaker Patrick Willis dropped back in Cover-2. They were picked apart, one cutback at a time, by running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. They even let Matt Cassel, perhaps the least impressive quarterback in football, pop them for three touchdown passes. All-purpose whiz Dexter McCluster was allowed to fly out of the backfield uncovered.

Special Teams

McCluster returned two punts for 40 yards into 49ers territory, part of the Chiefs' 10.8 average on the day. The 49ers finally got rookie Kyle Williams on the field, only to see him scramble to recover his own fumbled punt. A 30-yard kick return was the best Williams could muster.

Coaching

The Chiefs took away the run, the middle of the field and the screen game. Nothing offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye did helped - not even his 3rd-and-short flea flicker. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky also had no answer for whatever it was the Chiefs felt like doing. Kansas City knew exactly what the 49ers wanted to do and stopped them in their predictable tracks.

OVERALL

Maybe the 3-0 Chiefs really are that good and the 0-3 49ers really are that bad. The 49ers haven't been this outcoached, outplayed and outclassed since, well, the season opener two weeks ago. Next stop: Atlanta, which waxed S.F. 45-10 last year.